Life’s a Picnic

But before heading out, whether it’s to your favourite shade tree in your backyard, the neighbourhood park or out by the lake, here are a few of the dos and don’ts, ins and outs of the perfect family picnic.

Not surprisingly, kids absolutely love picnics. Luckily, they’re as easy to organize as packing a quick lunch and pedaling to the local park. And they’re always fun, whether it’s a simple 2-cheese-sandwich lunch or a more elaborate affair. And that’s the real beauty of the family picnic – the only limits are your imagination and the time you have.

The best picnics are usually the simplest ones, where ideas count more than your budget. Remember how great it was, as a kid, to put up a tent in your own backyard and pretend it was a castle, a fort, a secret hideaway?

Set up a makeshift shelter in your backyard and come up with a theme for your “adventure”. Princess and Her Pony or Pirates of the Patio will turn any backyard into a whole new world of adventure, complete with sumptuous banquets of egg-salad sandwiches, veggies, cubed Canadian Cheddar and an ice cream cone.

The picnic can also be quiet time. It can turn into story time in the shade, where the younger ones can doze off while mom and dad relax.

Speaking of which, how about surprising your better half with an invitation to meet in a quiet corner of the park, right after work, to share an early meal of Feta Couscous and a half-bottle of rosé? Or a favourite Brie, pâté, olives and a baguette over a sip of Cabernet? And then, maybe a romantic stroll?

In any case, theme-based picnics are infinitely adaptable and always a hit, even with older kids. It’s simply a matter of finding a way to get them involved, like with a scavenger hunt. You’ll find a few interesting suggestions on our Fun Stuff Page further on.

But picnics are also about food! Whether you’re having a backyard cook-out, a picnic at the local county fair or heading for the rugged Canadian hinterland, you need good food. Also, a special thought for your guests, their age, their needs and their tastes is always in order.

That’s where Canadian cheese fits in perfectly: nutritious, versatile, flavoured, Canadian cheese simply has it all. As a matter of fact, Canadian cheese is summer’s truly moveable feast: slice it, cube it, melt it, shred it; go ahead and put it to work for you as the time-saver it really is.

Especially during this period of increased physical activity (not to mention social activities!), Canadian cheeses are the single most handy and practical tool in your box of culinary tricks. Canadian cheese is like imagination – a little goes a long way to help you make the most of your summer. Enjoy!